Seattle Public Schools plans to install walk-through metal detectors at Rainier Beach and Nathan Hale high schools in the coming months, launching a pilot that district leaders say is intended to help prevent gun violence. The School Board unanimously approved the plan Wednesday. Both schools asked to participate. The detectors, supplied by Opengate, consist of two upright pillars rather than the larger rectangular scanners commonly seen at airports. Superintendent Ben Shuldiner said they can screen hundreds of people in minutes and have been used at school football games and graduations. The pilot follows years of shootings that have affected Seattle students and families. In January, two Rainier Beach students were shot and killed at a bus stop near campus. A Nathan Hale student later died from gunshot wounds after a 13-year-old shot him inside a Hillman City apartment. Other fatal shootings include the 2024 killing of 17-year-old Amarr Murphy-Paine outside Garfield High School and the 2022 killing of 17-year-old Ebenezer Haile inside Ingraham High School. At a Sept. 23 board meeting, parents who had lost children to gun violence urged district leaders to take preventive steps. Lonnisha Landry, whose 16-year-old son Xavier Lamont Machi Landry was killed in 2024, said detectors could not stop every act of violence, but argued that preventing even one incident would matter. “We should not wait for a tragedy to prove prevention was necessary,” she told board members. Alicia Dassa, whose son Conner Dassa-Holland was killed in 2020 and whose two other children graduated from Rainier Beach, also backed the pilot. She asked why detectors used at sporting events and public buildings should not be considered for schools. Rainier Beach Principal Annie Patu described screening as one part of the school’s broader safety work, which has included closing the campus and engaging community members. Nathan Hale Principal Jolene Grimes Edwards said screening at graduation went smoothly and drew appreciative emails from families. Student representatives also supported the test. Franklin High School senior Yohanna Micheal said a detector flagged her bag at a football game, but the additional screening took only seconds. She said too many Seattle Public Schools students have experienced gun violence. The district plans to survey students and track whether screening creates long lines or makes students late to class. Officials expect to review results after a quarter or semester. Other schools could ask to join, Shuldiner said. The resolution does not change district policy. Shuldiner said the pilot will complement other security measures, including cameras, fencing, controlled entrances and adults greeting students. Board member Joe Mizrahi said approval also signals support for school safety, an issue raised repeatedly in community listening sessions.